Media performers, artists and designers doing strange and unexpected things with technology: that is what the MADtech study programme is about. You are expected to employ and artistically explore hybrid technologies in order to imagine, interpret and change human interaction with a transforming world. To do so, you apply a tinkering playfulness and an experimental mentality, which are the key aspects in your development and research. This mentality, combined with a critical reflective attitude and conceptual skills, leads to unexpected perspectives and results in artistic multimedia, experimental design or performative work in any combination.

While MADtech students come from various professional backgrounds and fields of media, art or design, they all share a fascination with technology. The role that technology is going to play in your research exceeds that of a mere tool with predefined and process-shaping functionality. Instead, technology and its influence are examined critically, researched conceptually, used creatively in non-standard ways or developed individually to enable the creation of specific MADtech strangeness. The combination of disciplines gives you an opportunity to develop your artistic vision while deploying a hybrid artistic practice as an autonomous media performer, artist and designer. As your work engages with the world, you grow both as an individual and in your artistic practice, reinforcing the power of your imagination as well as exploring your own connection to a transforming and technologically charged society.

​​​​​Programme structure

The first year of this study programme is mostly about exploring your chosen field. You will carry out your own experiments in our Hybrid Arts Lab, tinker with new technology for creative programming and explore research possibilities in art, design and performative practices. This will allow you to improve your knowledge and skills, get to know the international field of practice, forge new concepts and discover avenues of artistic research.

In your first year you will spend a lot of time in Hybrid Arts Lab, where you will devise and carry out your own experiments. In addition you will attend theory and research courses at the University of Groningen and take part in a joint research course 'Image & Experience in a technologically charged society' with master students of the University of Groningen. There is also plenty of time to discuss the results of experiments, workshops, research projects and your own progress with fellow students, experts and public. Furthermore, you will visit relevant institutions, festivals, workplaces and centres of research: individually or as a group.

Preparing for the second year

During your first year you will gradually start to focus on the area you want to concentrate on in your second year, gathering ideas, improving your skills and gaining new knowledge to prepare for your practical research. This will help you to develop and refine the research plan that you will carry out in the second year and which will form the basis for your master's thesis. At the end of your first year your work will be assessed to determine whether you are ready to start the second year.

Second year: achieving your artistic goals

At the start of your second year you will begin work on your graduation project. Most of your time will be devoted to working on this project. You will still attend classes, but fewer than in your first year. Supervisors will advise and guide you and stimulate your progress. Your goal in this year is to complete your research project and write your master's thesis. There will be plenty of opportunities throughout the year to share what you have learned and experienced with others during group sessions, discussions and presentations. Depending on your needs, one or more guest lecturers may also be asked to contribute to the supervision of your research project. Second- year students also take part in a series of public dialogues to discuss their work with guest lecturers and others, which will help you to enhance your work and take it to the next level.

Grants and awards

As a second year master's student you can apply for excellence awards such as the George Verberg Grant, a prestigious annual award in the amount of €10,000, enabling the winner to spend a year in one of the Baltic States, Germany, Poland or Scandinavia to work there as an artist, designer or performer.

Additional subjects and projects

In addition to the regular sessions and classes you will have the opportunity to attend a series of lectures at the University of Groningen about history, art, psychology of art and art philosophy. You will also take part in a joint research course on Research & Development/New Media Art Practices with master students of the University of Groningen. You can also carry out projects of the Centre of Applied Research and other Hanze partners.

Vocational training​​

To help you to reinforce your artistic profession you will visit relevant institutions, centres of expertise and art fairs. This way you will meet a broad range of people from the professional field so you can build your own network of useful and inspiring contacts. In addition, you will work within an open, cross-media network of artists, technologists and scientists to develop your entrepreneurial attitude, realise your ideas, sharpen your vision and sharing your questions and solutions. Just as important is your artist attitude. We expect you to think and act like an investigative artist in an international practice, bringing together different perspectives in exciting work and projects. Therefore we will help you master these organisational skills, raising funds, organising support and promoting the project to the public. ​

Graduation work and master's thesis

Towards the end of your second year you will work on your graduation project and write a master's thesis in which you demonstrate your analytical skills, critical view, ability to reflect on your own work and overall research abilities. Your thesis should set out how you envisage your future position in the visual art world, contributing to the public discussion to advance quality of life around the world. You will present both your artistic work and your master's thesis during your public graduation ceremony.

International possibilities

In addition to the focus on your final project, you will visit international festivals, like Ars Electronics in Linz and the Transmediale in Berlin. You will also go on an intensive study trip to New York. ​​​​

Facilities

Facilities

You will have all facilities you need at your disposal. You are welcome to buy or borrow books and study materials at our Media Centre. At the Academy shop we sell basic stuff, like paper, brushes, charcoal, pens, pencils and blank books.

HAL 24/7

HAL 24/7

Most of your time you will spend in our Hybrid Arts Lab, also called HAL 24/7. Here you can use all the facilities, workshops, materials and technical support you will need. At HAL 24/7 we provide an artistic technology research lab, rooms we use for seminars, projects and lectures as well as studios. At HAL 24/7 you can attend expert meetings, artist's talks and exhibitions, for instance by professors of the Centre of Applied Research and Innovation Art & Society.

Workshops

Workshops

Here we also have ten well-equipped workshops at your disposal. Here you can carry out experiments and learn skills. These workshops are open to all: you can also use them in order to work with a technique or medium for the first time. All students of Minerva Art Academy are welcome here. It doesn't matter which course you do or what year you are in.

Showcase

Showcase

As a future artist you need to go out there and show the world what you can do. At our showcase academieminerva.nl you get every opportunity to show your work. Start at once. This is how you prepare for you future from the start of your studies. Go to the Showcase land make sure you are visible.

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​​​After graduation

After graduation

As a master of Fine Arts you can continue to set up your own artistic practice, individually or as a member of an artistic collective.